House Panel Passes Medical
Liability Reform Legislation
Septmeber 13, 2002 -AAMC-supported medical liability
reform legislation, the "Help Efficient, Accessible, Low Cost,
Timely Health Care (HEALTH) Act of 2002" (H.R.
4600), was approved by voice vote at a Sept. 10 House
Judiciary Committee mark-up. Committee Democrats offered several
amendments, including an inflation adjustment to the $250,000
cap on non-economic damages. The amendment was defeated 14-14,
with four Republicans supporting the measure. Ultimately the
Committee passed only one amendment, which slightly altered
the bill's title to better accommodate its acronym (i.e.,
eliminated "Cost").
The House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to schedule
a HEALTH Act mark-up for next week. Sens. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.)
and George Voinovich (R-Ohio) Sept. 9 became the first to
sign on as cosponsors for the Senate version of the HEALTH
Act (S.
2793), which was introduced by Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.).
Information:
Christiane Mitchell, Senior Legislative Analyst
AAMC Government Relations
cmitchell@aamc.org
(202) 828-0526
Get Washington Highlights
in your Inbox!
|
